as a child, i pictured God a massive, majestic, giant of a man. i pictured an intimidating figure, bigger than life, broad shoulders, authoritative expression, with glowing light behind Him, ruling the world from a throne. (even though i had no idea what a throne was.)
when i thought about God, i thought about a still and stern-faced judge and ruler. if, in my childhood, i was asked to draw a picture of God, it would look a lot like the Lincoln Memorial.
the way i thought of God when i was a child makes perfect sense. all i knew of God then was that He was in charge of who got into Heaven. i knew He had commandments for us to follow, and obeying them was key. as a child, i knew that i was supposed to obey the adults in my life, and if God was the big boss of all of us, He must be really, really big (and made of marble and limestone, apparently.) it's no wonder i could never even fathom hearing God's voice...the Lincoln Memorial statue doesn't talk.
but there's so much more to God and obedience. it's all about love. thankfully, over the years i've pursued God, He's pursued me, and i've learned more about this mighty God and His commandments. i've gone much deeper in my relationship with my God, and i'm happy to report the picture of Him in my mind no longer resembles Abraham Lincoln.
as a child, i was right about some things: God is in charge, He wants us to follow His commandments, and He wants us to obey. it's because He loves us, and wants us to live the best life He has planned for us. we are blessed when we obey. obedience brings blessings! we're obedient to God because we love Him and His promises.
i can look back on my life and see, plain and clear, times when i was obedient to God, intentionally walked in His ways, and my life was blessed tremendously. on the flipside, i can also see times in my life where i wasn't living a life that would please God, and those were times of trouble and trials and stress. having experienced both, i know which life i prefer.
for better comprehension, i turn to His Word...
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
Psalm 119 (entire psalm)
For I command you today to love the Lord your God,
to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws;
then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you
in the land you are entering to possess.
Deuteronomy 30:16
If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good things of the land;
but if you resist and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword."
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 1:19-20
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities,
to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,
to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate,
and always to be gentle toward everyone.
Titus 3:1-2
to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate,
and always to be gentle toward everyone.
Titus 3:1-2
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written:
"Be holy, because I am holy."
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth
so that you have sincere love for each other,
love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed,
but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
1 Peter 1:14-16, 21-23
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written:
"Be holy, because I am holy."
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth
so that you have sincere love for each other,
love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed,
but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
1 Peter 1:14-16, 21-23
I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,
because you have obeyed me.
Genesis 22:17-18
and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,
because you have obeyed me.
Genesis 22:17-18
This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.
This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Who is it that overcomes the world?
Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
1 John 5:2-5
do you want to know what God's Word has for you? join me and my word-hunting friend Stef Layton as we Pursue the Word today!
Lincoln Memorial photo: ~MVI~ (running away from parties) via photopin cc
